Water Treatment Solution for World-First Hatchery from Waterco
Water Treatment Solution for World-First Hatchery from Waterco
"In the growing water treatment industry, Waterco’s fiberglass vessels are rapidly replacing steel tanks"
Best known for manufacturing and distributing swimming pool and water treatment solutions, Waterco Ltd. (ASX: WAT) has successfully segued into the booming aquaculture and agriculture industries with its “sustainable future strategy.”
Group marketing director Bryan Goh says Waterco’s product innovations improve water quality, increase stock levels and feed rates, produce healthier — and larger — harvests and, ultimately, raise farm productivity.
Waterco’s injection moulded pumps, AquaBiome filters, Exotuf vessels and centrifugal MultiCyclone filters help to maintain clean and hygienic water at all times.
“We have a long track record selling to the aquaculture market and have also developed specific product features that are capable of withstanding the harsh environmental requirements associated with it,” Goh explains. “For example, we supply pumps fitted with marine seals that withstand corrosive sea water and filters equipped with marine grade components.”
World-first commercial scale rock lobster hatchery
Earlier this year, PFG Group installed a range of Waterco’s commercial filtration solutions in the world’s first commercial scale rock lobster hatchery in North Queensland.
“We included in the various designs, Waterco’s injection moulded pumps, AquaBiome filters, Exotuf vessels and centrifugal MultiCyclone filters,” explains PFG Group Head of Aquaculture Tim Graham. “These components as part of the systems, help to maintain clean and hygienic water at all times.”
For Graham, healthy water means happy farmers.
“Lobsters, for example, are very finicky, so you want to minimise as many risks and variables as possible,” he says. “The more stable the water quality, the better they perform.”
Waterco’s injection moulding technology
Waterco’s strength lies in its injection moulding and fibreglass winding methods, which are used throughout the water treatment, swimming pool, aquaculture and agriculture sectors. At its Malaysia factory in Kuala Lumpur, which covers over 25,000 square metres, eight injection moulding machines, ranging from 150 to 1600-tonne produce a range of products including the Climate Care Certified MultiCyclone.
“All injection machines are operated by highly skilled supervisors who each have more than 20-years’ experience,” explains Goh.
In the growing water treatment industry, Waterco’s fiberglass vessels are rapidly replacing steel tanks.
“Our four-axis digitally controlled filament winding machines produce continuous strands, creating vessels with flawless consistency and superior quality,” Goh explains. “This produces commercial filters which are free from welds or seams. And, because of their reinforced openings, Waterco’s fiberglass filters can sustain some models up to 10-bar pressure rating.”
Sustainable aquaculture solutions
As populations in Australia and around the world increase, so too does the demand for sustainable sources of seafood. Seafood consumption in Australia has increased substantially over the last few decades. Currently, demand exceeds the supply from domestic production — and continues to grow.
Figures from Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment show that since 2002-03 the gross value of aquaculture production has increased by 12 per cent ($108 million) to over $1 billion.